Loophole: How to get unlimited data

**ShortSxit** · 03-09-2012, 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by mpossoff

Why would it be invalid when you can re-up within a certain period of time?

Because you were no longer a customer, I'd guess.

**MattMJB0188** · 03-09-2012, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by Sam73065

Nothing is set in stone yet. Verizon has not made any public announcement concerning their stance on those who used the loophole to get unlimited data, and esp those that dropped the MHS immediately after getting unlimited data. If in 6 months, nobody has been reverted back, Then I might agree that those customers are most likely good to go, but to say that today is premature.

They better not take it away!!! That's all I'm gonna say. Why should I have to suffer because of a glitch in their system? And besides, not all of us had the chance to sign new contracts in July before unlimited went away.

**mpossoff** · 03-10-2012, 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by ShortSxit

Because you were no longer a customer, I'd guess.

True. VZW gives you a certain time period to re-activate, after that time period your number is lost which means you have to start all over again as a new customer; credit check, choosing plans etc.

I wanted to re-activate within this time period. I made sure when I de-activated it was in their notes that I would get the features I left with. Even made sure an email was sent confirming this. After I de-activated and got confirmation email and made sure it was in their notes, I started getting calls from the win back team asking me why I left and I told them I was still under contract and didn't want to carry 2 cell phone bills but I do have 1 line that I'm carrying. I also told them when I'm ready to re-activate it will be within the time period according to VZW. Each time win back called I made sure that the notes were up to date and about the email confirmation. Each time they said 'yes it's in the notes as long as you re-activate with VZW period you'll get the features back'.

Now loyalty department agrees with me; or they are full of it. They say they want to give me the features that I had( unltd 4G hotspot, unltd data) but the system isn't allowing it to take. Then the loyalty rep said the advice that I should have been given was to suspend the 3 lines for a period of time which would have been possibly easier to implement.

So I either feel I was given the wrong advice from VZW or that VZW isn't fulfilling what they said that's confirmed in an email and in their notes. I'm confident that I wasn't doing anything malicious. In fact I had no intention of removing the unltd hotspot from each line because for one I my employer discount applies to data and hotspot on each line and second our kids would benefit from hotspot for school/college. The hotspot with discount is $21.60/line plus $21.59 for unltd data.

**Sam73065** · 03-10-2012, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by MattMJB0188

They better not take it away!!! That's all I'm gonna say. Why should I have to suffer because of a glitch in their system? And besides, not all of us had the chance to sign new contracts in July before unlimited went away.

Suffer? LMAO, my definition of suffering doesn't include their removing a feature from my plan or anyone else's if it was improperly given. However I hope they don't take it away, I'm just pointing out that as far as we can tell, that option is still on the table.

**Masamune_VII** · 03-10-2012, 10:16 AM

Too late, they knew.

**ShortSxit** · 03-10-2012, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by MattMJB0188

They better not take it away!!! That's all I'm gonna say. Why should I have to suffer because of a glitch in their system? And besides, not all of us had the chance to sign new contracts in July before unlimited went away.

How are you suffering? They would be correcting the issue with features that you intentionally worked around to get, fully knowing that you weren't supposed to get them. And how is you not signing a contract before unlimited data was canned Verizon's fault?

**whitetigergrowl** · 03-10-2012, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by ShortSxit

How are you suffering? They would be correcting the issue with features that you intentionally worked around to get, fully knowing that you weren't supposed to get them. And how is you not signing a contract before unlimited data was canned Verizon's fault?

Nothing in the agreement for the Hotspot states that it was only for grandfathered Unlimited Data users. Even for tiered data users, the Hotspot still showed and said only that an unlimited data plan was required to use it if you read the info given in the pop up. Not that the feature was only available to grandfathered users or existing customers.

Say for example I knew nothing of this thread or any of the other threads and articles out there. I'm surfing through the My Verizon feature area and notice the Hotspot for 4G for $30. Figuring it was a great deal/price I try to add it but it gives an error and says to call CS. I tell CS I'm trying to add the 4G Mobile Hotspot for $30 online, but it gives me an error and to call CS. In turn they add the $30 4G Hotspot for my 4G phone and in turn since an unlimited data plan is required for the hotspot, they convert my tiered plan to the Unlimited Plan so I can use the 4G Hotspot. Which also now gives me Unlimited 4G Hotspot data.

And like I have said in the past, I'm clearly wondering if this was a loophole. Nothing in the 4G MHS description stated it was specifically for grandfathered Unlimited Data users only. So, if I didn't know better, I could take that as I get the 4G MHS and I get the Unlimited Data as part of the package for paying $60 a month. As well, I know I saw ZERO tiered MHS plans in the My Verizon feature area. Only that one.

While many reading this thread likely used this, there are also likely many out there that simply didn't know and it just worked in their favor.

My opinion? Verizon won't take this away from those that already have it. At least for those still with the MHS. And very possibly not even take it away from those that did drop it right away.

**akhi216** · 03-10-2012, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by whitetigergrowl

Nothing in the agreement for the Hotspot states that it was only for grandfathered Unlimited Data users. Even for tiered data users, the Hotspot still showed and said only that an unlimited data plan was required to use it if you read the info given in the pop up. Not that the feature was only available to grandfathered users or existing customers.

This means nothing because adding a standalone 3G MHS to a 3G phone gave people unlimited data too.

Originally Posted by whitetigergrowl

And like I have said in the past, I'm clearly wondering if this was a loophole.

Of course it's a loophole hence the fact that 3G users could do the exact same thing and get unlimited data despite no mentioning of grandfathered unlimited data being required.

You say that nothing in the agreement said that it was strictly for grandfathered unlimited data users and go on to suggest that it wasn't a loophole, but how then would you suppose that they had grandfathered unlimited data deadline last year and they refused to let anyone get unlimited data except through this glitch in the system; you logic is backwards on that. It obvious was a loophole hence them closing it.

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**whitetigergrowl** · 03-10-2012, 02:54 PM

Originally Posted by akhi216

This means nothing because adding a standalone 3G MHS to a 3G phone gave people unlimited data too.

Of course it's a loophole hence the fact that 3G users could do the exact same thing and get unlimited data despite no mentioning of grandfathered unlimited data being required.

You say that nothing in the agreement said that it was strictly for grandfathered unlimited data users and go on to suggest that it wasn't a loophole, but how then would you suppose that they had grandfathered unlimited data deadline last year and they refused to let anyone get unlimited data except through this glitch in the system; you logic is backwards on that. It obvious was a loophole hence them closing it.

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But this is about 4G not 3G.

Carriers reneg on deadlines many times in favor of promotions and other ways to gain new customers and make more money. Plus many times there are promotions and deals not publicly promoted but can be given if asked for. Especially as a bundle to save money.

You couldn't get unlimited data as a stand alone so none of that changed from when they stopped it. You needed to add the MHS to gain it. And you can't tell me it took almost 8 months for them to discover this. It's been known for quite some time.

The 4G MHS showed under Tiered data pricing and said nothing about existing or previous customers only getting this. It only stated Unlimited Data was required to have it. Not that you couldn't get it. The consumer did nothing wrong.

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**Vatothe0** · 03-10-2012, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by whitetigergrowl

And you can't tell me it took almost 8 months for them to discover this. It's been known for quite some time.

Ha ha ha. You're never seen the inside of Verizon IT then. It took over 6 weeks to close a loophole in the corporate account management system that allowed you to bill an accessory only order to ANY active VZW number.

It is to this day their standard practice to make corporate account managers clear their cache and cookies EVERY time they use the site. This has been an issue for 3 years and they talk about it like it's normal.

**akhi216** · 03-10-2012, 10:21 PM

Originally Posted by whitetigergrowl

But this is about 4G not 3G.

Carriers reneg on deadlines many times in favor of promotions and other ways to gain new customers and make more money. Plus many times there are promotions and deals not publicly promoted but can be given if asked for. Especially as a bundle to save money.

You couldn't get unlimited data as a stand alone so none of that changed from when they stopped it. You needed to add the MHS to gain it. And you can't tell me it took almost 8 months for them to discover this. It's been known for quite some time.

The 4G MHS showed under Tiered data pricing and said nothing about existing or previous customers only getting this. It only stated Unlimited Data was required to have it. Not that you couldn't get it. The consumer did nothing wrong.

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I don't know why you refuse to accept the the 3G/4G MHS trick was the same thing. I don't know what you're trying to prove but a loophole is a loophole. Anyway it's closed now.

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**whitetigergrowl** · 03-11-2012, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by akhi216

I don't know why you refuse to accept the the 3G/4G MHS trick was the same thing. I don't know what you're trying to prove but a loophole is a loophole. Anyway it's closed now.

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The reason is simple. No one has been able to prove that that is what it exactly was for 4G. Nothing but assumptions. I know the Regional Mgr for Verizon here told me first hand they knew of it and that it was a promotion. NOT a loophole. And that it was supposed to end at the end of Dec. but for whatever reason hadn't yet. This was back in Jan..

It's been an assumption for quite awhile that this was a loophole. But at the same time between Reps and everyone else, a million different stories have surfaced. Some reps on the phone even told people doing this that it was a promotion and they were fine. Which coincides with what my Regional Mgr. even stated.

It's not a loophole if it's a promotion. Even if it's something that not many knew about or were given to select groups of people for varying reasons. Companies and carriers do have those where all you have to do is ask.

If you have a tiered data plan and the only 4G Hotspot it's showing is the one that requires Unlimited Data, then something is up. Especially since nothing in the wording stated that it was only for existing or grandfathered Unlimited Users. Only that in order to have the HotSpot you needed the $29.99 Unlimited Data plan and the MHS. It's odd that a feature you supposedly can't have, is in an area it shouldn't even be in. Maybe when the MHS was dropped the Unlimited Data was supposed to be too. Who knows. Maybe that was the glitch. No one may ever really know since NO ONE has managed to get a straight story beyond what they have been told or just assumptions and opinions.

**mpossoff** · 03-11-2012, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by whitetigergrowl

The reason is simple. No one has been able to prove that that is what it exactly was for 4G. Nothing but assumptions. I know the Regional Mgr for Verizon here told me first hand they knew of it and that it was a promotion. NOT a loophole. And that it was supposed to end at the end of Dec. but for whatever reason hadn't yet. This was back in Jan..

It's been an assumption for quite awhile that this was a loophole. But at the same time between Reps and everyone else, a million different stories have surfaced. Some reps on the phone even told people doing this that it was a promotion and they were fine. Which coincides with what my Regional Mgr. even stated.

It's not a loophole if it's a promotion. Even if it's something that not many knew about or were given to select groups of people for varying reasons. Companies and carriers do have those where all you have to do is ask.

If you have a tiered data plan and the only 4G Hotspot it's showing is the one that requires Unlimited Data, then something is up. Especially since nothing in the wording stated that it was only for existing or grandfathered Unlimited Users. Only that in order to have the HotSpot you needed the $29.99 Unlimited Data plan and the MHS. It's odd that a feature you supposedly can't have, is in an area it shouldn't even be in. Maybe when the MHS was dropped the Unlimited Data was supposed to be too. Who knows. Maybe that was the glitch. No one may ever really know since NO ONE has managed to get a straight story beyond what they have been told or just assumptions and opinions.

When I did it I was told it was a promotion.

**akhi216** · 03-11-2012, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by whitetigergrowl

The reason is simple. No one has been able to prove that that is what it exactly was for 4G. Nothing but assumptions. I know the Regional Mgr for Verizon here told me first hand they knew of it and that it was a promotion. NOT a loophole. And that it was supposed to end at the end of Dec. but for whatever reason hadn't yet. This was back in Jan..

It's been an assumption for quite awhile that this was a loophole. But at the same time between Reps and everyone else, a million different stories have surfaced. Some reps on the phone even told people doing this that it was a promotion and they were fine. Which coincides with what my Regional Mgr. even stated.

It's not a loophole if it's a promotion. Even if it's something that not many knew about or were given to select groups of people for varying reasons. Companies and carriers do have those where all you have to do is ask.

If you have a tiered data plan and the only 4G Hotspot it's showing is the one that requires Unlimited Data, then something is up. Especially since nothing in the wording stated that it was only for existing or grandfathered Unlimited Users. Only that in order to have the HotSpot you needed the $29.99 Unlimited Data plan and the MHS. It's odd that a feature you supposedly can't have, is in an area it shouldn't even be in. Maybe when the MHS was dropped the Unlimited Data was supposed to be too. Who knows. Maybe that was the glitch. No one may ever really know since NO ONE has managed to get a straight story beyond what they have been told or just assumptions and opinions.

Fair enough. I had concluded that most VZW employees were clueless (at least the ones I spoke with in stores, and chats) as I always came to find out that I knew more than them.

Anyway what's your take on people getting unlimited data on 3G phones adding the 3G MHS?

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**ak1sdr** · 03-11-2012, 04:37 PM

There was no company-wide communication that I saw about this EVER being a promotion.

The company-wide communications I did see were as follows:
1) Specifically about putting the unlimited codes back into the system so front-line reps could quickly and easily fix errors where unlimited plans had fallen off or needed to be modified for whatever reason (biggest example - moving from corp unlimited $44.99 to consumer unlimited $29.99 and vice-versa).
2) Making sure that you qualified that the line you were handling was supposed to have an unlimited package (i.e. it had been on the account since before 7/7/11 etc) as lines started after that date were not supposed to have it.
3) Even though the unlimited codes were in the system, they WERE NOT to be used a save tool.

Now - given those were all documents posted in Infomanager and backed up with daily e-mails that point you to Infomanager articles... Promotion? Not so much.

Moot point now anyway given it's been closed.